Kawasaki Develops "Autonomous Excavation System for Excavators", Achieved "Autonomous Operation" for Trench Excavation at Construction and Civil Engineering Sites
Nov. 27, 2024
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| Verification Testing | Terrain Sensing Results After Trench Excavation Using LiDAR |
Tokyo, November 27, 2024 — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has developed the "Autonomous Excavation System for Excavators" and achieved autonomous trench excavation using excavators. This enables the "autonomization" of trench excavation work by excavators, which is currently performed by operators at construction and civil engineering sites.
This system, using a controller mounted on the excavator, plans efficient excavation movements based on input 3D design data and terrain sensing results from LiDAR*1. It autonomously performs excavation and dump truck loading while determining the appropriate excavation volume. In verification testing conducted by our company, we confirmed that the system can autonomously excavate a trench measuring 2m in width, 0.6m in depth, and 10m in length. Additionally, we verified that the system can autonomously perform other operations such as leveling the trench floor and compaction work, in addition to excavation work.
Currently, labor shortages due to population decline have become prominent, and the construction and civil engineering industry faces significant challenges in training skilled operators and securing human resources. Furthermore, with strong demands for improved working conditions and increased productivity, the need for "autonomous operations" at construction and civil engineering sites is expected to grow further. Toward the practical implementation of this system, we will continue our system development efforts to enable stable autonomous excavation under various soil conditions.
This system achieves unique autonomous excavator control with high-response, high-precision, and high-efficiency operation by combining our sophisticated hydraulic control technology, cultivated over many years, with industrial robot control technology. Aiming to deliver an innovative solution to the construction and civil engineering industry, we will continue further development through our technology and pioneering spirit.
Key Features
| 1. | Generates continuous trajectories from simple point instructions and performs smooth trajectory tracking like a industrial robot. |
| 2. | Plans excavation movements based on input 3D design data and terrain sensing data obtained through the controller mounted on the excavator. |
| 3. | Achieves highly efficient and robust excavation through sensing technology and soil estimation technology. |
| 4. | Achieves precise and smooth operation with accurate flow command tracking through advanced hydraulic control technology. |
| *1 | LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging): Emits laser light and measures the distance and shape of objects based on reflected light information. In this system, LiDAR measures the shape of the ground. |
| *2 | IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit): A device that detects three-dimensional inertial motion (translational and rotational movement in three orthogonal axes). In this system, IMUs are installed on components such as the bucket to measure their orientation. |
| *3 | RTK-GNSS (Real Time Kinematic-Global Navigation Satellite System): Enables centimeter-level positioning by using carrier phase information of satellite signals in addition to position information. This system uses two RTK-GNSS receivers to measure the excavator's position and orientation. |
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Related Links
Hydraulic Equipment for Hydraulic Excavators:
https://global.kawasaki.com/en/industrial_equipment/hydraulic/applications/mobile/excavators.html
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